Clock



Nov. 29, 1927. 1,650,878

c. H. MILLER CLOCK Filed Auz. 1. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR W FIGURE 1 ATTORNEY C. H. MILLER' Nov. 29, 1927.

CLOCK Filed Aug. 1, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIGURE 5 FIGURE 2 .lli 4.

FIGURE 5 lNVENTOR BY% ATTORNEY UNITED STATES CHARLES H. MILLER, OF :SAN JOSE; CALIFORNIA.

oLooii.

Application filed August 1, 1925. serial No. 47,592.

It is one object of my invention to provide a clock that maybe rendered'operative by insertion in the circuit of any alternating current. electric lighting or heating system. It is another object of the invention to providea clock ,of the character indicated equipped with Y a novel form of circuit v 'ings, I'show at 1a rear Y18W'0f a dial-plate of aclock having intersecting bars 2 and 3 'mounted parallel thereto and spaced a disbreaker mechanism whereby" positive, :and

accurate operation of the clock mechanism is 1!) assured when properlyadjtiStedf f,

It-is still another object of the invention to provide a clock of the character indicated so formed and constructed as-to bequickly and easily'adjusted to correct inaccuracies in operation, and one that consists of'few parts, is economical to manufacture, 'a'nd highly efiicient in its" practical application.

It is also an object to provide anew, simple and highly effective and accurate mechanism for actuating and controlling the clock pendulum.

It is also an object to substitutea' more economical and simple motion transmission mechanism for the customary three wheel and pinion structure ordinarily used f or driving the hour hand arbor, and toputilize the force of gravity for actuating the clock pendulum and through it th' said transmission mechanism.. I It is also an object to provide a sim ple and efiiective striking mechanism operating in conjunction with the going side of the clock, and actuated through the medium of electric magnets or solenoids arranged in v an alternating electric current 'circuit','and

, one that may be easily added to or'disconnected from the going side of theclock as desired. i

It is still another object of the invention to provide a striking mechanism of the character indicated wherein the movement of the pendulum is utilized to time the'strikes as well as to measure off the time intervals between the striking periods and to set the 4; striking mechanism into operation.

4 This application is a. continuation in part of my application for patent for improvement in clocks, filed October 27, 1924, Serial No. 746,202. so In the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevation of 'the working mechanism of the clock. f

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the going side of the clock as distingui hed-from the striking aide, parts being broken may;

"scribed;

Figure 3fis'aperspective view of a portion of the striking mechanism.

- Figure 4 is asection on line 4-4 of Figurel.

Figure 5 is a detail sectionon line 55 of Figure 1 drawn in perspective. Referring more particularly to the draw tance-therefronias at 4 (Fig; 2), these bars being arranged at right angles to eachother and parallel to the edges of the platen At fits shown a pendulum suspended from the upper portion of bar 2 by a resilient element 6 as shown, and at 7 is shown abar adj ustably mounted on the lower portion of the pendulum by'screws 8gthe upper'edge of said bar being" recessed to formbevel shoulder 9,-seat '10, bevel shoulder -11 and seat 12. On the lower portion ofthe pendulum is also mounted an adjusting mechanism comprising afixedbar'ltwanda sliding bar 14- connected by a threaded-rod 15 fitted with an adjusting nut 16. 0n the' upper portion of the-pendulum'is mounted anadjustable lug 17' carrying a finger 18 formed as shown for the purposelhereinafter de- At 19 I show ed 'on bar 2-at right angles to dial plate 1. A hand arbor 20 is mounted in frame 19 and bar 2 and carries a spur gear 21 which meshes with a spiral gear 22 on shaft '23 which also carries a crown toothed wheel 24.

-The shaft 23 is arranged at right angles to arbor 20 and is mounted in a frame 25 arranged at right anglesto frame 19 and'connected thereto by means of threaded pins 26 fitted with adjusting nuts 27. When mounted as described the free end o'f'finger 18 engages therteeth on the'iwheel 24. Obvi ously, the swinging of the pendulum will actuate the wheel 24 and'throughitthe arbor 20. the swing of the pendulum being limited by stop pins 28 inbar 7.

For actuating and controlling the operation of the pendulum I provide the following mechanism.

Inserted between frame 19 and bar 2 and parallebwith arbor 20 is a. spindle 29 carrying a block 30. A rod 31 extends upwardly from -the top of said block and is adapted toengage the end-of an adjustable pin 32 in frame 19 for limiting the swinga rectangular frame mounting movement of the block. A second rod 33 extends'dmmwardly from the block to a point below bar 7 and thence inwardly to a point directly beneath said bar, and is provided with a sharp edge at 34. Extending from each side of block is a rod 35, the said rods being of equal length and carrying movable cores 3636 of solenoids 3'-"3T mounted on bar 3. Rod 35' also carries an adjustable weight 38.

A bar 39 is .mounted on bar 3 parallel to bar 2 and adjusta-bly connected to bar 2 by means of a threaded rod 40 passing therethrough and engaging adjusting nuts 41 as shown in Fig. 1.

Mounted on bar 39 is a frameQ. A spindl'e43 is inserted in her 39 and frame 42 and carries a switch element having one portion 45 extending do nwardly to contact with a terminal 48 on insulator 47 mounted on-frame 42, and another portion extending upwardly and provided with :1 catch 48 on its under side adapted to engage the edge 34 on rod 33. This fingerterminates in a flat portion 49 extending at right angles to the first mentioned portion and adapted to engage the parts'Q-lO-ll on .bar 7.

The electrical connections consist of a clasp 50 on spindle 43 connected by wire 51 to a positive contact with frame 42115 at 52. A wire-leads from the terminal 46 to a transformer 53 inserted in an alternating electric current system not shown and thence to a r-l-ieosta-t 54. The two solenoids 37- -37' are connected together by wire 55 and thence to the metal of the clock at .56 where the current flows back to switch 44* through wire 51 and to terminal 46 when the finger portion 45 .is in contact therewith;

This going side of the clock having been properly constructed and adjusted "as described. a weak alternating current is'su-pplied to the electric circuit through the transformer 53.

When the'pendulum is at rest the contact points 45-46 are open, .but when the pendulum is swung to the left the bar 49 drops from surface 11 and thus makes an electric contact at 46 and charges -the-solenoids 3737' which draw the'impulse arm 33 to the right and into a locking engagement with catch 48. thereby breaking the contact of switch 44 with terminal 46 and breaking the -electric current.

Having completed its full swing to the leftthe pendulum now swings to the right. and when the surface 10 of bar 7: raises the arm 49 it unlocks and releases the impulse arm 33,- the orerbnlancing of the rods 35 35 causing the said rod 33 to swing to'the left. In doing so it. engages pin 57 on the bottom of the bar 7 and thereby impartsan impulse to the pendulum to the. left again, shoulder 11 on bar 7 permitting the finger end 49 to drop and finger end 45 to contact again with terminal 46 and so permit the flow of an electric current to rrelock the rod 33 in engagement with switch 44.

In this manner the impulse rod 33 is electric'ally actuated to break the electrical sircuit and gravity actuated to impart an Ear pulse to the pendulum 5, each swing of the pendulum to the left under a new impulse rotatin the arbor 20 a predetermined distance tirough the action of parts 2122 23'2 1l718.

For the striking portion of the clock I provide the following mechanism.

A supporting .frame comprising rods 6G6162 is secured to bars 2 and 3 as in dicated at 63 and '64 and .in the relative positions shown.

On rod 61 and at right angles thereto, is mounted a bracket 65 carrying a spindle 66 4) on which are mounted ratchet wheel 67. and strike count wheel 6 8,lhe formerbeing provided with suitably spaced teeth 69 and the latter avith a suitable num- .ber of unequally spaced notches 70. ..Th ese wheels are revolubly mounted on spindle 66 with-a sleeve 'Zl :ipserted th er ebetween and'a washer 72 theouterde nd' of the spindle and held by a SClew .-7 3; ,,S0tih2li the two w-hee1 s.may;he relatively adjusted and then secured in their proper ad usted positions ..by screw 73. i

For-actuating the counting wheels 67 and 68 during the stril cingoperatioh I provider. spindle 7 mounted in..bracket65 in parallel relation tqspin dle GGand carryi-ng a. short .har cagigying wwsnaygameac rods 76.. 76f ;hav.ing solenoid ,cdresl. 7 71 mounted thereon and solenoids 7* Z 5 F F S bM ete l" -t' t m n on respect yelyl "Diiflie outer 105 endof rQfi-Ylifsis'ia' ori the yputer end of rod. is a :81. operats e e n t a xbel k8 g' l e m e .-P ifded -with a stop. 83 ..ca griedfliy plate 1 ns l fiii-I AtrS li show-3 barradjusta hly m onnted on rod 76 by means" ofa s'c re w 8 5 andpivptailly ,xnounted .on :is a loosely swanging oigezbalancedutingerfifif (positioned to engage theteetlr9 in wheel .67

; On-bar-fifli ismountedan electrical insulaton-82 gs, mad '3) erman I m l standard 83 in which is at rotatable spindle 8e in parallel relationrtoepindle 66. This spindleflcarries'a finger- 85 insulated therefrom as at 86 and adapted to engage the notches 70in wheel-68.' i

Spindle 84 also carries a resilient electricity conducting arm 87 -l;i aving-a. terminal SSzarranged to contactmitlra terminal 89 on 135 bar 90 mounted on :pendulum 5.

The electrical circu-itof the striking mechanism comprises an adjustable: attachment to the rheostat at 91. :a wire 92 connecting the same with arm 87 as at 93, the contact points 8889 connecting the arm 87 with the metal frame of the clock, the wire 9% connecting the frame with solenoid 78", wire 95 connecting solenoid 78 with solenoid 78, wire 96 connecting solenoid 78 with the transformer 53, and thence to the rheostat as described.

7 This circuit is, of course, normally open and the mechanism quiescent. For setting it in motion the following device is em ployed.

Ad shaped bar 97 (Figs. 1 and 5) is shown secured to one side of the outer mem ber of frame 19, and on this is pivoted an arm 98 having its outer end formed to rest upon the wheel 67 to prevent racing thereof. and carrying a freely swinging finger 98 adapted to engage the teeth 69 in wheel 67. The inner end of arm 98 is fitted with a pivoted element 99 adapted to engage a pin 100 on a small' wheel 101 mounted on arbor 20.

Thiselement 99 is provided witha stop at 102 so that it may raise the opposite end of arm 98 when the pin 100 descends upon the end of element 99 but will freely permit the rotation of pin 101 in the opposite direction The action of the strike mechanism is as followsgassuming the electric circuit to be broken at'8889 and the finger 85 dropped intoone of the notches'ZO in wheel 68, it being hung on standard 83 in such a manner as to drop into these notches by forceof gravity. v

"Assuming the clock is'to" strike only upon the hour and the arbor 20 has nearly completed its revolution for the hour. The pin 100 engages element 99 and through it raises arm 98 and finger 98 so that the finger 98 engages a higher tooth in wheel 67. The moment the pin 100 passes over element 99 and releases arm 98 it forces finger 98 downwardly and rotates wheel 67 the space of one tooth. Since the two wheels are mounted to rotate together this action rotates wheel 68 and causes finger 85 to ride up out of the notch 70 on to the perimeter of the wheel. This action rotates spindle 84 a distance and throws the contact point 88 a distance to the right so that at each swing of pendulum 5 the contact 88 carried thereby will engage the contact point 89 and close the electrical circuit.

The closing of the electrical circuit operates solenoids 7878 and the hammer 81 is thrown forcibly against hell 8%. Vhen the pendulum 5 swings to the right and the electrical circuit is broken the weight 80 overbalances hammer 81 and throws it back to a. striking position. This backward movement of the hammer rod 76 operates finger 86 to pull wheels 67 and 68 around the spacing of one tooth in wheel 67. The recurrent closing of the electrical circuit at 88-89 repeats the action of the hammer 81 and finger 86 until the finger drops into the next notch 70 in wheel 68, this action automati-- cally withdrawing the contact 88 from the reach of contact 89 so that the continued swinging of the pendulum will no longer close the circuit.

At 103 is mounted a plate on bar 62 and having a lever 104 pivotally mounted thereon at 105 and carrying a pin 106. If it is desired to lock the striking mechanism against operation it is only necessary to swing the lever 10 1 over in the direction indicated by the arrow whereupon the pin 10% engages the part 87 and withdraws it to a position where the points 88-89 will not contact as the pendulum 5 swings.

This striking portion of the clock can'be mounted in connection with the going side or not as desired, and is readily adjustable relative thereto. By removing screws 63 and 64, all of the striking part but the bar 97 and parts carried thereby may be removed. By removing screws 107 the remaining parts of the striking mechanism comprising bar 97 and parts carried thereby, are readily removed. By this arrangement a standard'clock may be equipped with a"striking mechanism at any time without alterations."

It may now be seen that Ihave provided asimple, accurate clock that may 'be re'ndered operative by suitable 'connectiodwith a ny alternating electric "*current"= 'system throughfthe medium of a transformenand one that is so operated asto use but a negligible amount of electricityJ I claim 1. In a clock, a hand arbor, a pendulum, pendulum operated mechanism adapted to rotate said arbor, an electrical circuit having a. switch therein, a pivoted arm adapted to engage said switch and open the same, means carried by said pendulum adapted to engage said switch and release said arm whereby to permit the closing of said switch, and mechanism rendered operative by the closing of said switch for moving said arm back into engagement with said switch.

2. In a clock, a hand arbor, a pendulum, pendulum operated mechanism adapted to rotate said arbor, an electrical circuit having a switch therein, a pivoted arm adapted to engage and open said switch, an unbalanced bar mounted on said arm normally urging said arm out of engagen'ient with said switch and an electromagnetic device arranged in said circuit adapted to actuate said pivoted arm into engagement with said switch.

In a clock, a dial plate. a frame mounted on the back thereof. a hand arbor mounted on said frame. a pendulum suspended on said frame, pendulum operated mechanism adapted to rotate said arbor, an electrical circuit. a supporting bar depending from said frame and having one terminal of the electric circuit positioned thereon, a pivoted switch mounted thereon and provided with the other terminal of the electric circuit, an arm pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to'engage one arm of said switch and separate said terminals and adapted to engage said pendulum, releasable means for holding said arm in engagement with said switch, means carried by said pendulum adapted to engage the arm of said switch and release the said arm from engagement therewith and permit the closing of said switch, a we ght carried by said arm to overbalance. the same whereby to engage and impart an impulse to said pendulum, and means rendered operative by the engagement of said tern'iinals and closing of said electrical circuit for returning said arm into engagement with said svvitc 4. In an electrical clock mechanism, a support, circuit controlling means carried by the support. a pendulum, means carried by the pendulum to close the circuit when the pendulum is moved in one direction, magnetic means to break the circuit during the reverse movement of the pendulum, and gravity actuated means adapted to impart movement to the pendulum in a direction to close the circuit.

5. In an electrical clock mechanism. a hand zarbor, a pendulum, pendulum operated mechanismadapted to rotate said arbor, an electrical-circuit having a-normally open switch therein, means carried by the pendulum to effect closing of the switch when the pendulum is moved in one direction,

electromagnetic means to effect opening of I lt-y the pendulum to release the latch, and

gravity actuated means adapted to impart an impulse to the pendulum to move the same in a direction to close the circuit.

T. In an electrical clock mechanism, a hand arbor, a pendulum. pendulum operated mechanism adapted to rotate said arbor, an electrical circuit having a normally open switch therein, means carried by the pen dulum having a depression therein to receive a portion of the switch to permit the same to close when the end lum is imoved in one direction, electromagnetic means to move and latch the switch 'in open position, cam means carried 'the pendulum to release the latch, and gravity actuated means adapted to impart'an impulse to the pendulum therebvto move the 'same in a direction to close the circuit.

CHARLES MILLER. 

